Gaertnera ternifolia
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Gaertnera ternifolia faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Western Ghats of India. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as remaining forest patches become increasingly isolated. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the region pose additional threats to the specialized montane forest ecosystems this species requires.
Habitat
This endemic shrub inhabits the montane evergreen forests of the Western Ghats, typically found at elevations between 1,000-2,000 meters. It grows in the understory of dense, humid forest environments with rich, well-drained soils characteristic of these biodiversity hotspot regions.